California Lutheran University vs. Cal Poly

Comparable Facts

Compare California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA with California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than California Lutheran University based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 3,351 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, CA (Midsize City setting); California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is in San Luis Obispo, CA (Small Suburban setting).
• California Lutheran University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Lutheran University 13:1; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1.

California Lutheran University vs. Cal Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, California Lutheran University or Cal Poly? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo than California Lutheran University ($17,453 vs. $32,774).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Lutheran University are 10.5% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($16,810 vs. $18,792).
• California Lutheran University is 286.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $38,964 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.6% higher at California Lutheran University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $17,895 more per year; $52,560.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Lutheran University than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (99% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Lutheran University students is 150.1% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($35,855 vs. $14,338).

California Lutheran University vs. Cal Poly Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, California Lutheran University or Cal Poly? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cal Poly and California Lutheran University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 80 points higher than at California Lutheran University (1240).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at California Lutheran University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 1150/1330; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Lutheran University 24/31; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: California Lutheran University - Test optional; Cal Poly - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California Lutheran University Jan 1, 2027; Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at California Lutheran University (3.73).
• California Lutheran University has a higher acceptance rate (75.7%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at California Lutheran University vs. 24.6% at Cal Poly.

California Lutheran University vs. Cal Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for California Lutheran University and Cal Poly? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than California Lutheran University's (64%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than California Lutheran University graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $57,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $4,334 lower median loan debt than California Lutheran University graduates ($18,666 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Lutheran University graduates ($193 vs. $237).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Lutheran University students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 70%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.